**** Armed Civilians Program in Texas ****

(AP) ^

[Dallas]

BAYTOWN, Texas --

A local sheriff is being criticized for letting armed civilians ride on patrol with deputies.

"The days of the Wild West are over," said Larry Watts, chief of staff of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. "To deputize citizens who've had no training is a poor police policy. Taxpayers should insist this does not happen. The sheriff should be ashamed."

"Why would they take a civilian and put him on the street and threaten his life?" said Chambers County Commissioner Bill Wallace.

Chambers County Sheriff Monroe Kreuzer defends the program he created, saying that while the volunteers are not law enforcement officers, they are licensed to carry concealed handguns.

"It's an added advantage to have that civilian with the officer," Kreuzer told county commissioners last week. "If the officer gets in trouble, it's another warm body there."

There are no rules prohibiting citizens, armed or unarmed, from riding with police officers, said Steve Myers, a spokesman for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

[bruoz]

"Why would they take a civilian and put him on the street and threaten his life?" said Chambers County Commissioner Bill Wallace.

Because he or she wants to be there, stupid.

[MamaTexan]

There are no rules prohibiting citizens, armed or unarmed, from riding with police officers, said Steve Myers

Stevie, can you say 'ma-lish-a'?

(Geez, now the people in my own state are starting to scare me.)

[joeyman]

The govt cannot protect the people (there's too many of us to protect). There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to help out. THere's nothing that says we shouldn't trust the Sheffiff's judgement on who he wants to ride with his officers. Are we a nation of children or adults? Are we wards of the state or a free people?

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

"Why would they take a civilian and put him on the street and threaten his life?" said Chambers County Commissioner Bill Wallace.

The United States Army had no problem giving me a 45 and having me ride with a MP on Courtesy Patrol in Ulm, West Germany when I was 22 years old. Why should I not ride with a local police officer now that I'm 52 and have a concealed handgun permit?

[rw4site]

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) just endorsed Democrat John Sharp for Lt. Gov., the most powerful position in Texas government.

[marktwain]

The govt cannot protect the people (there's too many of us to protect). There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to help out. THere's nothing that says we shouldn't trust the Sheffiff's judgement on who he wants to ride with his officers. Are we a nation of children or adults? Are we wards of the state or a free people?

On the money! This is just a response of an elitist who wishes to hurry along the development of the Samari class. Police should not have any more or less rights than an ordinary citizen. An ordinary citizen should have the same rights police do.

Isn't there something in the constitution, I think Article I section 9, last paragraph, about not granting any title of Nobility? Does creating a privileged class with special rights count?

[conserve-it]

"The United States Army had no problem giving me a 45 and having me ride with a MP on Courtesy Patrol in Ulm, West Germany when I was 22 years old. Why should I not ride with a local police officer now that I'm 52 and have a concealed handgun permit?"

Yes why not indeed !!

[Dallas]

Sharp doesn't like the GOP for some reason, and has always refused to join.

The bad news, I think he's one of the best fiscal conservatives in the state.

[MarthaNOStewart]

I think you have cleared it up with your summation. It makes sense to me if they are qualified to have the concealed permit in first place.

[Nubbin]

Several years ago I worked as a secretary for the 4 highway patrol troopers in my rural county. I used to ride in the patrol car with them to meetings, or to go to lunch, etc. They made traffic stops along the way. Once we got into a high speed chase. Scared the crap out of me. When the driver finally pulled over, the trooper tossed me the radio to call in the LP# and description of the vehicle. He pulled his weapon and approached the vehicle, calling for the driver to exit. The driver said he didn't see us! Right...we were only going 130 miles with sirens and lights flashing! My husband used to ride with a couple of the troopers all the time at night. He said it was pretty routine, a few DWI arrests.